Daizen Maeda

Er.. nope

 

Wouldn’t have said he failed, 24 games for maritimo; 4 goals. Which is more than he scored in Japan the season before that for a poor team. Looks likely the issue might have been him not settling.

because the season after that he signs for one of the better teams in Japan, then after that season has his best career season before this one

 

He's now POTY for me so far, just ahead of Kuhn, a fantastic goal return from a wide position, his pressing is unique, the likes will never be seen again, gotta cherish him, Brendan has developed him incredibly, was still a machine under Ange, but Brendan has taken his football up quite a few notches

 

With apologies to Alice Cooper:

They wanna foul you, but they better not touch (don't touch).
They try to pass you, but your Samurai press makes them stop.
They wanna sign you, but we love you too much (too much!)
They try to catch you, but you're just uncatchable, Daizen!
You're Daizen running like a train.
You're Daizen!
Maeda drives the Huns insane!

 

How much did we actually pay for Maeda? It wasn't much I don't think.

 

Around £1.5m I think. I think purely because it's a cultural thing in Japan to let the players take their next step. I think Hatate a similar price.

 

Really should be looking to tie him down to a new contract. Into last 2 years of his deal at end of this season

 

Aye should be our number 1 priority, can't afford to lose him in the summer whilst it's already likely we lose Kuhn and Hatate.

Went up several levels under Rodgers.

 

Agree with you there he has been good all season but recently has been ridiculous summed up by his Larssonesque goal last night. I would have him just ahead of Kuhn as POTY right now as well.

 

He is 27 now will be 28 come early next season so he is hitting his peak career years now. Should be offering at least a 2 year extension and moving him into our highest pay bracket and hopefully he stays long term then.

 

It's stick or twist time in the summer though if he doesn't want to sign a new one.

 

After his last extension he spoke about his family being settled and liking living in Scotland. Seems to be big family man so hopefully that helps us keep him. Would hate to lose him

 

With apologies to Gun's and Roses...

Take me down to the Paradise City
Where Daizens football is so pretty
Oh won't you please take me home....

Taxiiiii

 

Although this isn’t always the right reason to vote for the POTY I would give it to him regardless of how many Kuhn scores from now. A chance to reward Maeda for the relentless work he does for the team off the ball that’s not always rewarded with awards. Then the numbers he’s putting up as well as doing that is unreal. And for me that chip is goal of the season already for the whole play and that Larsson chip to finish. First goal I’ve instantly reacted with “wow” out loud for a long long time

We’ve never had a player like him before and we’ll never have a player like him after he leaves. Give him that POTY and thank him for an incredible season

 

Agreed. Don't normally care much who wins POTY but it'd give me a wee warm fuzzy feeling to see Daizen with the trophy.